Vaccine-Related Shoulder Injuries Are On the Rise

July 18, 2016 |

Many vaccines, including the annual flu shot and immunizations for tetanus, diphtheria, HPV and Hepatitis B are administered by injection into the upper arm. While these injections may seem fairly innocuous, it is important that vaccine administrators follow a strict protocol in order to avoid causing patients the serious shoulder pain and injury that can result from the receipt of vaccinations.

Injuries resulting from mistakes that can occur during the administration of vaccines are commonly known as shoulder injury related to vaccine administration, or “SIRVA.” Although the exact number of individuals who experience shoulder pain or injury following receipt of vaccines each year is unknown, many reports indicate that instances of SIRVA are on the rise.

SIRVA and the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program

The increasing risk of vaccine-related shoulder injuries has prompted the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to propose adding shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (or SIRVA) to the list of conditions expressly covered under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP).

The VICP is a federal program that provides compensation to individuals diagnosed with certain injuries. As part of the program, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services maintains a Vaccine Injury Table that lists common vaccines and their known side effects and injuries. If an individual suffers an injury listed on the Vaccine Injury Table within the prescribed time window, the injury is presumed to have been caused by the vaccination they received. This presumption removes a challenging step – proof of causation – from the process of recovering financial compensation under the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.

Currently, shoulder injury related to vaccine administration is not listed on the Vaccine Injury Table.

This does not mean, however, that cases of shoulder injury related vaccine administration are not covered under the VICP, as cases of SIRVA are paid by the government on a routine basis. At the Center for Vaccine Shoulder Pain Recovery, we regularly assist individuals in obtaining compensation for all types of pain and injury caused by the administration of various types of vaccines.

Adding SIRVA to the Vaccine Injury Table

What to Expect When Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration is Added to the Vaccine Injury Table

Once Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration is added to the Vaccine Injury Table, individuals experiencing SIRVA find it easier to seek and obtain compensation under the VICP, even though many such claims are paid by the government today.

Are You Experiencing Shoulder Pain After a Flu Vaccine? Contact the Center for Vaccine Shoulder Pain Recovery

The Center for Vaccine Shoulder Pain Recovery is a national resource center that represents victims in claims under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. If you or a loved one has experienced shoulder pain after a vaccination, feel free to contact us for a complimentary consultation with an attorney experienced in SIRVA cases. We pride ourselves on providing the support needed to recover money for those suffering from shoulder pain after flu vaccines. Don’t hesitate. Contact us today, to learn more about how the Center for Vaccine Shoulder Pain Recovery can help you obtain money for your shoulder pain.